Obama- Good or Bad for the Nation?

Originally Posted by Flames of Valor

One thing I very, VERY much want Obama to do, is invest a great deal of money in the countries infrastructure. Over half of America's bridges are over 5 years old, our pipes like 6 billion gallons of water A DAY. Levies around the country are in dangerous conditions. Roadways are in deplorable conditions. Patch and pray has to stop. Investing our infrastructure is investing in the life blood of our commerce.

From the 30's to the 60's America's infrastructure was the best in the world. It's falling into a third world state. In a country with as many resources and as much money as America, it should be unacceptable.

That's part of what the stimulus was intended for. Whether the individual states use the money in such a way is up to them.

Originally Posted by Tyras

That's part of what the stimulus was intended for. Whether the individual states use the money in such a way is up to them.

Except only around 100 billion dollars was donated to this purpose, when the system needs trillions of dollars. 100 billion is like another patch compared to what we actually need. Obama needs to have something ongoing over the next few years to invest at least 10 to 20 times what we have already invested through the stimulus package.

This is absurd.

Originally Posted by Flames of Valor

Except only around 100 billion dollars was donated to this purpose, when the system needs trillions of dollars. 100 billion is like another patch compared to what we actually need. Obama needs to have something ongoing over the next few years to invest at least 10 to 20 times what we have already invested through the stimulus package.

Are you saying that you're in favor of a second stimulus package?

Originally Posted by DrZaius1

Are you saying that you're in favor of a second stimulus package?

No, I am saying I am in favor of massive infrastructure overhaul.

Originally Posted by Flames of Valor

Except only around 100 billion dollars was donated to this purpose, when the system needs trillions of dollars. 100 billion is like another patch compared to what we actually need. Obama needs to have something ongoing over the next few years to invest at least 10 to 20 times what we have already invested through the stimulus package.

This is absurd.

yes, i know how how absurd it is. I witnessed a bridge collapse, so i know firsthand how terrible our infrastructure is. But with a portion of my state's stimulus money, we've been able to repair some of our worst roads. So if anything, the stimulus is at least a step in the right direction.

Originally Posted by Tyras

yes, i know how how absurd it is. I witnessed a bridge collapse, so i know firsthand how terrible our infrastructure is. But with a portion of my state's stimulus money, we've been able to repair some of our worst roads. So if anything, the stimulus is at least a step in the right direction.

Oh, and I 100% agree. I am simply stating that it's an urgent problem, which would be a great investment. Look what our infrastructure did for us from the 30's to the 60's. It put America at the top of the world. But, we are letting it just fall into decline. When the hell are people going to understand that maintenance is one of the most important things for almost everything on the planet? You actually have to tend to things if you want them to work. So far, we have neglected what made us a super power, that is such a foolish thing to do.

For God sakes, it happened to the Romans. You'd think people would take the hint.

Not to mention it's a potential for reduction of unemployment. If we actually kept up with these things, plenty of jobs would be available.

In Texas there are 8 people overseeing and inspecting over 7500 dams.

Originally Posted by Flames of Valor

No, I am saying I am in favor of massive infrastructure overhaul.

There are allocated funds for that in the stimulus package. Wait until more then 15% of the funds have been distributed, then we'll see how much more infrastructure spending is needed.

Originally Posted by DrZaius1

There are allocated funds for that in the stimulus package. Wait until more then 15% of the funds have been distributed, then we'll see how much more infrastructure spending is needed.

Did you read my above posts? The stimulus bill only contributed one 20th of what was necessary to bring it up to PAR. That's unacceptable. Obama said in his campaign that he wanted to create jobs by repairing and maintaining our infrastructure, I want him to hit it home on that promise.

Originally Posted by Scientific American

"We've been operating on a patch-and-pray system," says ASCE President D. Wayne Klotz. That is, patch something and pray that it holds up—instead of providing regular improvements for aging facilities.

Um... isn't that the city's responsibility? Over here, the cities maintain their roads, and there has rarely been financial problems with that.

Following are the ASCE infrastructure grades, which were based on an analysis of government records by a panel of engineers.

Aviation D
Bridges C
Dams D
Drinking Water D–
Energy D+
Hazardous Waste D
Inland Waterways D-
Levees D–
Public Parks & Recreation C–
Rail C–
Roads D–
School D
Solid Waste C+
Transit D
Wastewater D–

Overall: D

Wow...

I really like Obama. He's a cool guy, knows his stuff, honest, and generally a good person. But he's becoming weak, and his whole bipartisanship idea is not working no matter how much he wants it to. He should get off his ass and start doing something, regardless of the ridiculous criticism he's getting from the right wing, and forget those who are holding progress back.

Though I have to admit, I liked what he tried to do with Chicago for the Olympics, even though it failed in the end.

Originally Posted by Spearhead

Um... isn't that the city's responsibility? Over here, the cities maintain their roads, and there has rarely been financial problems with that.



Wow...

I really like Obama. He's a cool guy, knows his stuff, honest, and generally a good person. But he's becoming weak, and his whole bipartisanship idea is not working no matter how much he wants it to. He should get off his ass and start doing something, regardless of the ridiculous criticism he's getting from the right wing, and forget those who are holding progress back.

Though I have to admit, I liked what he tried to do with Chicago for the Olympics, even though it failed in the end.

Perhaps it's just the news coverage, but it doesn't seem like any other important issues are being dealt with, infrastructure being one of them.

Originally Posted by Flames of Valor

Perhaps it's just the news coverage, but it doesn't seem like any other important issues are being dealt with, infrastructure being one of them.

good news doesn't sell nearly as well as bad news.

Originally Posted by Tyras

good news doesn't sell nearly as well as bad news.

Hurricanes are profitable though, despite being bad.

Originally Posted by Flames of Valor

Perhaps it's just the news coverage, but it doesn't seem like any other important issues are being dealt with, infrastructure being one of them.

That's my point. Besides the Chicago incident, and his previous fight with Healthcare reform, Obama is too weak. He is a very smart man, and through his honest appeal and his actual honesty, I can tell he means well. But he isn't doing well, and that's because he's caving into pressure from the other side.

I hope he does well, though. Being the first black president is a huge honour, and so I don't want to see it as a failure for him or America.

Originally Posted by Spearhead

Um... isn't that the city's responsibility? Over here, the cities maintain their roads, and there has rarely been financial problems with that.



Wow...

I really like Obama. He's a cool guy, knows his stuff, honest, and generally a good person. But he's becoming weak, and his whole bipartisanship idea is not working no matter how much he wants it to. He should get off his ass and start doing something, regardless of the ridiculous criticism he's getting from the right wing, and forget those who are holding progress back.

Though I have to admit, I liked what he tried to do with Chicago for the Olympics, even though it failed in the end.

Its because of all the publicity things he does. He goes on shows hosted by people who usually invit celebrities. Obama is a celebrity. He gives off the cool vibe because he isn't stupid and knows how to act near the media.

He gives America way more face time then any other president. I would like to see him in office more then on some Late Night show talking about his home life.

Originally Posted by Spearhead

That's my point. Besides the Chicago incident, and his previous fight with Healthcare reform, Obama is too weak. He is a very smart man, and through his honest appeal and his actual honesty, I can tell he means well. But he isn't doing well, and that's because he's caving into pressure from the other side.

I hope he does well, though. Being the first black president is a huge honour, and so I don't want to see it as a failure for him or America.

yeah, i for one think it's high time to scrap the bipartisanship spiel and put that democratic supermajority to use then we might be able to get some things done.

Originally Posted by Toon Flink

Its because of all the publicity things he does. He goes on shows hosted by people who usually invit celebrities. Obama is a celebrity. He gives off the cool vibe because he isn't stupid and knows how to act near the media.

He gives America way more face time then any other president. I would like to see him in office more then on some Late Night show talking about his home life.

He ran a campaign that never fought against the Republican nominee, but instead fought for the Democratic side. He never smeared McCain, didn't fight against his critics> All he did was just run for president.

Seriously, not many presidents, if none at all, ran that kind of campaign, let alone win. To say he is just a celebrity isn't really fair.

Jumping in before someone starts spouting things about Obama's Nobel Peace Prize: the committee often gives it during a peace process, as incentive/inspiration for the individual in question to continue their work.

Originally Posted by DrZaius1

Jumping in before someone starts spouting things about Obama's Nobel Peace Prize: the committee often gives it during a peace process, as incentive/inspiration for the individual in question to continue their work.

Wait, Nobel Peace Prize? Obama?

That's the first time I heard of it. When did this start?

Originally Posted by Spearhead

Wait, Nobel Peace Prize? Obama?

That's the first time I heard of it. When did this start?

This morning.

Originally Posted by DrZaius1

This morning.

i'm having loads of fun listening to people whine about it.